Morp

~Disclaimer: I own none of them, I'm just playing with them, and I'll be returning them when I get through. I also stake no claim to any episodes that I use for the Flashbacks. They belong to the writers and FFC. I do however own Alex Wallace, his father and his secretary Connie, as well as anyone Scott knew when he was at home with his father. I also made up a few people in the middle of this story, you'll see why.~
~There are also a few lines that I have taken from one of my other favorite shows, BTVS. I thought that Joss's words would fit better in this type of subtext. I am not changing the words in any way shape or form. They will also be returned when I'm done.~

~I've decided that if you want a song list, you're going to have to e-mail me for it, seeing as though I can never seen to remember to put it up with my stories.

Memories are still in Italics, with * before and after them

This part goes out to my lil' sis, who got on last night and completely re-wrote one of the scenes. I still love ya Britt. ~Illusia

"The eyes are the window to ones soul." ~Unknown.

Peter and Sophie watched from the sidelines, as their kids stood up together, and all headed out to the dance floor. This time, David had his arms wrapped around Daisy, who didn't seem to be complaining too much, Brittany was having too much fun with her arms securely around Scott, who kept looking over his shoulder every few minutes to look at Shelby, who was dancing with Auggie, and getting a little too cozy together again. Jessica was laughing at Ezra, who was talking more than dancing, and Juliet and Alex were he last couple on the floor. Kat had opted to let her food settle before getting on the floor, so she sat in Shelby's seat, facing the dance floor.

"These kids deserve this." Sophie laughed, as Ezra dipped Jessica in order to get a laugh out of her.

"It's been too long since these kids have been able to be normal high school seniors." Peter agreed, but something on the dance floor didn't seem right to him. Alex kept making eye contact with Brittany. "Do you think something's going on between them?" Peter asked in his usual 'I'm worried about everyone' tone.

"Between who?" Sophie turned to look at her husband. "Peter, there are ten kids out on the floor?"

"Brittany and Alex." He watched as Sophie turned and studied the group. "Scott seems a little pre-occupied out there, Brittany could be trying to make him jealous." Peter tried to rationalize for himself. It wasn't working.

"Or Alex and Britt could have talked about something, and Brittany's worried that Alex will tell someone." Sophie offered helpfully. She didn't like the thought that there were outsiders over there with her kids. The whole thought of them made her examine everything more carefully. "Or Alex is the worried one." She supplied.

"He does seem rather tense." Kat walked up to them and watched as they both looked at her in shock. "I think Alex is trying to ensure that Shelby's his, and Brittany's part of the plan." Her voice sounded older then her nineteen years. "Then again, I'm just a kid."

You could be right." Peter put an arm around Kat's shoulders, and hugged her to him. "You could be right."

It's either black or white, that's right

We're making love or in a fight

Sometimes you make me so blue

But then it feels so good, I knew it would

You know the way to make me crazy

I want to give it to you

Shelby looked over at Ezra and Jessica and smiled. It's been too long since she's seen her sister this happy. Jess deserved it. Ezra turned slightly, and his gaze locked Shelby's. "Looks like you're in a galaxy far, far away from making any extraterrestrial travel arrangements." Shelby commented offhandedly, as she reached out, and pulled Ezra away from Jess. Jessica took the hint, and grabbed Auggie to dance with instead.

"You remember?" Ezra's eyes were wide when he spoke.

"Of course." Shelby smiled and allowed him to wrap his arms around her from behind. "It's not everyday I kiss you." She laughed.

"So," Ezra tried to keep his voice level as he turned her around. "Who makes you so emotional?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Shelby laughed again, and he remembered what was so beautiful about Shelby.

*Shelby wandered into the kitchen, looking for what she hoped wouldn't be Era's dead body on the floor of the kitchen. "Ezra? Ezra?" She leaned over the counter and watched as he stared at David's zip-lock baggie full of pills. Shelby could only guess that they were barbs. "Guess I missed the party favors." She said offhandedly as she moved around to look at him.

"Wanna go for a ride?" His voice was deep, and sorrowful. He held up the bag for her to look at.

Shelby moved closer to him and smiled. "Man do I ever," then she turned and looked away from the bag. "But I don't."

"Yea." Ezra agreed slightly. He didn't know why he hadn't just taken the whole bag when he knew no one would find him until it was too late. "I could've been buzzing Mars by now. I don't know what stopped me. Self control is not one of my strong points." He looked up from the bag to see Shelby's saddened beautiful face staring at him.

"Daisy?" She offered helpfully, the look in her eyes was just shouting 'don't do it Ezra.'

Ezra nodded in silent conformation. "She already told me nothings going to happen between us. " He whispered as if he were reminding himself. If felt bad to be repeating the words that Daisy had said to him that night in the janitors shed. "Just friends."

"They tell me its good to have a friend."

"Then how come I feel like the only thing she sees in him, is that he's not me?" His gaze challenged her to tell him that wasn't true. That she had heard Daisy tell Juliet or Kat that she secretly loved him. He shook his head at the way that she just stood there, watching him. He wasn't sure what to do now.

"I don't think that's true." Shelby said after a while. Then she closed her eyes, and dropped her voice to just above a whisper, as if she was telling him some big secret. "When Scott's mother was here she told him something that he told me. An ancient Greek guy said it a long time ago." Shelby reached out for Ezra's hand, and then withdrew it as she realized what she was doing. "Friends are two people sharing one soul. Its not that often you find a good friend."

Ezra turned abruptly and dumped the entire bag into the sink. Then he ran the water to get rid of the evidence. "And goodbye to my extraterrestrial travel arrangements." He said as he threw the baggie in the garbage can.

Shelby smiled and took his hand so they could go back to the party. "Life sucks doesn't it?" She asked him in a small voice.

Ezra nodded in agreement. "Only during the waking hours." That's when Shelby did something that surprised them both. She kissed him. Not a mind blowing, earth shattering kiss, but a chaste, I understand kiss,, that made Ezra remember that Shelby had a heart in her somewhere. "How'd you know I needed that?" He asked as Peter Showed up and told them to get outside. He never got Shelby's reply, and he'd always been too scared to ask after that day.*

You make me feel so emotional

I can't let go I'm so emotional

I'm sinking fast into an ocean full of you

I'm so emotional

"Penny for your thoughts?" David asked in that annoyingly sweet voice he always had around Daisy. She looked up, as if snapped from a trance and looked at him. "You okay Daze?"

"Yeah." She said after a minute. She closed her eyes and searched her mind for a plausible excuse as to why she's been out of it lately. "Just the excitement of tonight." She lied straight-faced. "I'm just trying to get used to it all." She turned and looked over at Ezra and Shelby, hoping David couldn't see what was behind her eyes.

David felt as if there was something missing, but he didn't press it. Instead, he reached over and pulled Jessica out of Auggie's arms. "Switch," he laughed softly, as Daisy slid easily into Jessica's place. "So kiddo." He said to Jessica, "How are you handling this party?"

You make me high and low, you know

I'm never sure which way you're gonna go

You're such a mystery to me

But baby hot or cold you got a hold

Of my imagination

I think you know what I mean

Scott followed David's lead and reached over to grab Shelby from Ezra. Ezra reached out and held onto Brittany, as Shelby adjusted her body in Scott's arms. "Thanks for the warning." She said sarcastically, looking up into his eyes for what seemed like the thousandth time that night.

"I didn't think you needed one." He flashed her a smile that made her melt, and she held onto his shoulders so she wouldn't fall over. "Problems?" He asked her gently.

"Nothing you need to be concerned about." She shot back. She could play his little game. She could pretend that being in his arms had no affect on her whatsoever. She was lying through her teeth, and they both knew it, but she could play the game. "Why'd you give up Brittany?" She asked offhandedly.

"For no reason you need to be concerned about." He smiled as he repeated her words. This was a game he had missed.

You make me feel so emotional

I can't let go I'm so emotional

I'm sinking fast into an ocean full of you

I'm so emotional

It only took a second, for Alex to trade Juliet for Brittany. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He asked her angrily. "I'm paying you to get between them, not push them together."

"Relax." Brittany placed a hand on his chest and felt the muscles bunch. She liked having that kind of power over a guy. "I know what I'm doing." She raised her hands over her head, brushing her hair out of her face, and turned to bump Alex with her hip. "Before we tear them apart, we have to let them get closer together." She said so matter-of-factly. "Shelby's gotta believe in what she and Scott once had before she can be removed from his life."

Alex grabbed one of her wrists and brought her closer to him. "This better work." He snapped as he allowed her hands to work their magic on his body.

Rain is falling down on me

Suddenly the sun comes out

Sometimes north or south of love

But I'm never out

"Something's definitely wrong." Kat pointed over to where Brittany and Alex were talking. If talking was the word you could use. It looked more like Brittany was trying to reassure him of something. "I don't like the way this is going."

Sophie had gone to the restroom, and Peter and Kat had decided to continue the conversation about how suspicious Brittany and Alex had been acting lately. "You think Alex is trying to break up Scott and Shelby?" Peter thought about that sentence. "Whatever they might have?"

"And he's offered Britt something to do if for him." Kat agreed lightly, as if it wasn't anything new to her. "I think Alex wants Shelby for himself, despite what he may say in front of he about 'wanting what's best." Kat threw a glance over Peter's shoulder and smiled sweetly at Sophie as she walked back up. "But I've already had a slice of cake." She told Peter mockingly, as if she was trying to cover up their conversation.

You make me feel so emotional

I can't let go I'm so emotional

I'm sinking fast into an ocean full of you

I'm so emotional

Alex grabbed Shelby out of Scott's arms and pulled her to him. "When do I get to dance with you?" He asked her, pretending to pout. She giggled, and Alex threw a look at Brittany.

"Later," Shelby wiggled out of Alex's grasp and headed back to the table to rejoin Kat.

Alex was about to say something, when Peter stepped up onto the stage with the DJ. "May I have everyone's attention please?" He said calmly into the microphone. After a minute everyone turned to face him. "Can everyone have a seat for a few moments?" He watched as everyone moved to their tables by group. He couldn't help but throw a glance at the Cliffhanger table, where his favorite group sat staring at him. "Okay," he said after a few minutes. "It's time to announce Senior Class Awards." The DJ played a funky little tune, and everyone laughed, as Sophie and Roger pushed the cart of awards out onto the stage. "We're gonna start with the obvious choice for a Horizon High award." He held up the envelope, and half of the class was laughing before he even read it. "Most likely to be imprisoned." He read mockingly.

"Now we need not remind you," Roger stepped up to the mike. "That we never said what they would be imprisoned for." Everyone laughed again and Sophie ripped into the envelope. "And the winners are-"

"David Ruxton of the Cliffhangers!" Sophie shouted into the mike. The Cliffhanger table laughed as David jumped up and headed to the stage. As he climbed the stairs, Sophie smiled. "And also from the Cliffhangers, Shelby Merrick!"

Shelby was laughing the hardest as she stood and made her way over to the stage. David had his award in hand as she gave him a hug. "This is the closest you're ever getting to famous." She said bluntly at David once she got closer to the mike. "Thank you, and very funny guys." She pointed at the table where Daisy was wiping her eyes from laughing so hard.

David took the mike and flashed a smile at the photographer. "I'm the king of the world!" He shouted, and as he spread his arms out, Shelby pushed him off of the stage. He recovered though, saving both himself, and the plaque that he had been given. "I'm okay." He laughed as they headed back to the table. "Beat that James Cameron." He whispered to Ezra, holding his award.

Ezra shuttered as Daisy placed a hand on his leg. "You will." She said softly, looking deep into his eyes. "You will."

"Now we have Most Likely To Be Famous." Peter held up the envelope, as Roger leaned into the mike again.

"Once again, I'd like to remind you that we never said what for." Roger took the envelope from Peter and smiled. "Again with the Cliffhangers!" He shouted. "Future Dallas Cowboy, Scott Barringer, and future Steven Spielberg Ezra Freakin-" Roger stopped himself and smiled. "That's Friedkin, and this is the last time we allow Shelby to stuff the ballad box." He watched as Shelby's face lit up.

"Um…thanks." Scott was short on words, as he watched Shelby's face brighten.

"Yeah, thank all of you, and I hope none of you mind when I make a documentary on Horizon as my first film." Ezra descended the stage when he heard Daisy shout over the clapping

"Only if we get to star in it!"

"Best Smile!" Peter shouted on the stage, and named a Ridge Runner.

At last Peter was down to two awards. The Cliffhangers didn't think they could stand saying any more speeches. Scott had, along with his first award, gotten most athletic, biggest flirt, and best personality. Daisy had received best eyes and teacher's worst nightmare. Shelby got biggest attitude with Auggie, as well as best smile and most likely to kill some one with Daisy. David walked away with the other teacher's worst nightmare as well as class clown. Auggie got class protector, for his attitude when it came to the Cliffhanger girls, and most improved when it came to class work. Ezra picked up teacher's pet with Juliet, and was also able to snag easiest to talk to with Daisy. Juliet had gotten most of the awards that you can only give to one person. Best dressed, perkiest, and nicest were all on her list.

"The next two go together." Peter smiled as Sophie brought over the Morp King and Queen crowns. "Now for Cutest couple, and the announcement of Morp King and Queen." The Cliffhangers clapped and shouted as Peter opened the envelope. Peter looked puzzled for a moment before leaning into the mike. "Can you be considered a couple if you've broken up?" He asked the audience, who threw him a puzzled look. "Scott Barringer and Shelby Merrick!" He shouted excitedly, noticing that everyone got the joke now.

"You guys didn't?" Shelby asked Juliet and Jessica, as Scott was pulling her to her feet. "You're all dead once I get out of these heels." Then she followed Scott to the foot of the stage, where Sophie and Roger placed the crowns on their heads. "I can't believe this." She whispered to Scott as the photographer took their picture.

"Take her for a spin around the dance floor." Peter laughed as the music started. "We picked this one out just for you two."

Everybody's got something

They had to leave behind

One regret from yesterday

That just seems to grow with time

There's no use looking back or wondering

How it could be now or might have been

All this, I know, but still I cant find ways to let you go

"You ever have the feeling that Peter's trying to tell us something?" Shelby looked into Scott's eyes for a quick second, before turning her head and resting her chin on his shoulder. She wasn't sure whom she should blame for being voted Morp Queen, with Scott as her King. A touch of guilt hit her heart and she smiled sardonically. If she didn't want this to happen the way it did, then why did she vote for herself and Scott in the first place? She laughed to herself and looked over at her friends at the table through slitted eyes.

Scott laughed slightly and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I don't think Peter's the only one responsible for us being here." Scott turned Shelby to where they were both facing the Cliffhanger table. "I think they're all trying to get us back to the way we were."

Her weight shifted slightly, as she looked up at him. His features were more defined in the hazy light. "Can't say I blame them much." She laughed at the way he smiled down at her. "We were happier then." Her eyes glazed slightly, and she forced herself to look away from him. She wasn't sure why she had said that. Then again…

"Yeah," Scott agreed gently, as if he sensed what she was thinking.

I never had a dream come true

Till the day that I found you

Even though, I pretend that I've moved on

You'll always be my baby

I've never found the words to say

You're the one I think about each day

And I know no matter where love takes me to

A part of me will always be with you

"So what exactly is Brittany to you now?" Shelby asked as if it was normal conversation they were having out in the middle of the dance floor.

"What's Alex to you?" Scott countered, and Shelby nodded.

"Fair enough." She whispered. "He's everything you're not." She started simply, not liking the look on Scott's face. "He's safe, and predictable, and I know that he wants me for all the wrong reasons." Her eyes softened, and she smiled up at Scott. "He remembers me as I was, not who I'm trying to be."

"Funny how Britt matches that same description." Scott smiled back down at her and then a simple thought raced into his mind. "You wanna make Peter nervous?" He asked her playfully. Shelby nodded, and Scott bent his face to hers. Then, he brushed his lips across hers, sending chills running down her spine.

Somewhere in my memory I've lost all sense of time

And tomorrow could never be

Cause yesterday is all that fills my mind

There's no use looking back or wondering

How it should be now or might have been

All this, I know, but still I cant find ways to let you go

Alex readjusted himself in his seat. "I don't like this." He whispered to Brittany, who just smiled and nodded. His mind was reeling from the thought of Scott's lips on Shelby's. He stood and stormed out of the room. Unaware that Britt was hot on his heals. When he stopped right outside the room he turned to face her. "Once they get off the dance floor, make your move." He commanded gently.

"Of course." She smiled an evil smile and turned to go back into the room.

Alex grabbed her arm at the last minute and turned her to face him. "I hope you know what you're doing." He gave her a quick push into the room by her arm.

I never had a dream come true

Till the day that I found you

Even though, I pretend that I've moved on

You'll always be my baby

I've never found the words to say

You're the one I think about each day

And I know no matter where love takes me to

A part of me will always be

As she hummed along to the song, Daisy watched her best friend out on the dance floor. Shelby seemed so natural in Scott's arms. It was almost as if she was created to be in love with him. Daisy felt a slight twinge of jealousy sweep over her, and she quickly brushed it away. She wasn't supposed to be jealous of love. She wasn't supposed to want someone else had. She was the loner, and she'd always been. Closing her eyes, Daisy couldn't help but wonder if there was something out there that she was supposed to find.

Ezra watched the woman to his left for a few minutes. He was never quite sure what Daisy was thinking. It was possible that she was wondering the same thing he was. That somewhere in this world, there was the right one for him. Time and time again, Ezra had thought that Daisy was to be his match. Then something would happen, and he would find himself face to face with the reality that all they were were good friends.

"You wanna talk about it?" Ezra asked Daisy quietly, after he noticed that she shut out a look of pain in her eyes with a long blink.

"Not right now." Daisy coughed and leaned into his shoulder.

"Oh." He said softly, not wanting to let the moment go.

"But when I do," she said some what cheerfully. "I'll come to you."

You'll always be the dream that fills my head

Yes, you will, say you will, you know you will, oh baby

You'll always be the one I know I'll never forget

There's no use looking back or wondering

Because love is a strange and funny thing

No matter how I try and try I just can't say goodbye

Scott turned Shelby around on the floorboards, and she laughed. Then she caught the way that Scott was staring at her, and she suddenly became very self-conscience. The look in his eyes said nothing about just being friends. "What are you thinking?" She asked him softly.

"I can still look at you." His voice was barely audible, but Shelby caught onto the meaning, and leaned into him further.

*The sun shone through the clouds, and washed its colorful rays over the bodies of two tired Horizon students. Scott was lying adjacent with a tree, Shelby by his side, lounging on his arm. Neither wanted that moment to end.

"They're gonna be looking for us." Scott said thoughtfully, as if he had every intention of getting up and heading back to Horizon at that moment. But his body never moved.

Shelby shifted slightly, but didn't sit up. "I don't care." Even her voice sounded exhausted. "I'll shop wood for a year, but I'm not moving."

Scott laughed for a second, before getting extremely serious. "I always thought, that if anybody found out about my step mom, about what happened…" He let the sentence weaken and then he remembered that Shelby knew what he was referring to. "I thought that if I ever told anybody, I'd never be able to look at them ever again."

Shelby laughed and sat up, her golden hair draping across her face and she brushed it behind her ear. "You can look at me," she told him eagerly. "Can't you?" Her eyes were looking for confirmation that she wasn't used to needing.

Her hair flopped in front of her face again, and Scott brushed it out of the way. "You're beautiful." He said softly, wanting her to believe him.

"Yeah, right." Shelby ran a hand through her hair and came up with a fistful of leaves and dirt. "With all this stuff in my hair." She said sarcastically.

Scott just leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her lips, then another. Then he deepened the kiss and pulled Shelby to him. There was no doubt in his mind that he would be able to look at her, long after this whole mess with Elaine was resolved. *

Shelby smiled as her and Scott came out of the memory at the same time. "Those were the days." She heard Scott say lightly, as if he were some old guy, remembering his lost childhood.

"Yeah," she agreed to herself. "But the road to true love is paved with broken glass." She said without thinking. Then she looked up at Scott.

"Huh?" He said cautiously.

"Daisy told me that a long time ago." She closed her eyes and remembered the day in the kitchen. "I didn't believe her then, but I do now." She nuzzled into his arms and sighed longingly. "I do now."

I never had a dream come true

'Till the day that I found you

Even though, I pretend that I've moved on

You'll always be my baby

I've never found the words to say

You're the one I think about each day

And I know no matter where love takes me to

A part of me will always be with you

"Scott and Shelby!" Peter's voice boomed over the speakers. "Morp King and Queen." There were more cheers, as the music slowed to almost a stop. Scott smiled over at Shelby as they faced the crowd once more. "Give them another hand." Peter was clapping so loud you could hear it through the loud speakers. "Enjoy the ball." He said quickly, before cutting the mike off.

Shelby walked over to the table and, just as she reached Alex's arms, threw once last look at Scott.

A part of me will always be with you